Use Your Own Name Server for a 1&1 Domain

Learn how to enter a custom set of name servers for your domain to use instead of the default 1&1 name servers.

Name server settings should not be altered unless you are absolutely sure that the name servers should be changed so the domain can be used with another host.

External domains are domains that are registered at another company and currently point to 1&1 name servers (DNS). If your domain is listed as an external domain in the 1&1 Control Panel, you will have to update which name servers should be used with that domain at the domain's registrar, not in the 1&1 Control Panel.

Please note:

Altering DNS for a domain should only be performed by advanced users with a complete understanding of domain name services (DNS). An improper DNS configuration can cause a website to be inaccessible for days.

Step 1

Log in to the 1&1 Control Panel using your Customer ID OR domain name and your password.

If you have only one package, you will land on the Administration page. If you have more than one package, select the package in question to reach its Administration page.

Package overview

Step 2

Click the Domain Center link from the Domains panel.

Domains > Manage domains

Step 3

Check the box next to the domain to select it and click Edit DNS Settings from the Edit Domain Settings drop-down box above the list of domains.

The check box is to the left of the domain name

Step 4

If you are currently using a CNAME with the domain, you will not be able to set which name servers should be used with the domain unless you select Edit DNS Settings from the Domain Overview page.

Select the Other name servers button from the Basic DNS Settings section of the menu.

The Other name servers button is below the 1&1 name servers button

Step 5

You can now add your own name servers or 3rd party DNS host's name server addresses into the 1&1 Control Panel.

Enter the first name server address into the Name Server 1 text box.

Select My secondary name servers from the Additional name servers drop-down box to add a second address.

Enter the second name server address into the Name Server 2 text box.

You may add a third and forth name server address if necessary, but only two are required.

Click the Save button to save your settings.

The Save button is to the right of the Reset button

A confirmation page is displayed. It may take up to 48 hours until the new name servers set are recognized by all servers/computers on the Internet.

Please note:

You must make sure that you have the NS record configured on the name servers you are using, otherwise your domain will be removed after 3 weeks. The 1&1 Control Panel will check the NS record of your name servers to ensure that they match the name server addresses you entered in the Control Panel and will send you a reminder e-mail if there is a mismatch. If after 3 weeks, the settings still do not match, the Control Panel will automatically remove the external domain.